India's record-breaking $14.4 billion election spending under siege from cybercriminals.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has officially announced the schedule for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, last week. The voting is set to commence on April 19 and results will be declared on June 4.
With the Model Code of Conduct coming into effect immediately after the announcement, political parties and candidates are expected to adhere to the guidelines to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process.
However, amidst the election euphoria, there remains a lurking threat from cyber hackers and fraudsters who operate without any ‘code of conduct.’
For them, this period presents an opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities and engage in illicit activities, posing a challenge to the integrity of the electoral process and the security of voters’ information.
Targeting the most expensive election in Indian history
According to N Bhaskara Rao, chairman of the Centre for Media Studies in New Delhi, political parties and candidates are projected to spend over 1.2 trillion rupees ($14.4 billion) in the upcoming elections. This projection would mark the elections as the costliest in Indian history.
In comparison, approximately $14.4 billion was expended during the US presidential and congressional races in 2020, according to OpenSecrets.org, which monitors election expenditures. Mr. Rao’s forecast suggests that the 2024 Indian elections is all set to surpass the expenses of India’s previous general elections in 2019, where candidates disbursed around 600 billion rupees ($7.2 billion).
Election money serves as a tempting target for cybercriminals seeking financial gain or to influence political outcomes. The vast sums involved in political campaigns, as seen in India’s projected $14.4 billion expenditure for the upcoming elections, create ample opportunities for exploitation.
From fundraising email scams to deceptive schemes promising freebies under the guise of political parties’ initiatives, fraudsters capitalize on the frenzy surrounding elections.
Beware the digital wolves in sheep’s clothing
Hackers thrive on our emotions. Like puppeteers pulling invisible strings, these elusive digital tricksters pull off elaborate scams.
One recent example is the “BJP Free Recharge Yojana” scheme uncovered by cybersecurity firm CloudSEK. This scam falsely claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is offering free mobile recharges for three months as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign.
Fraudsters are turning to sophisticated AI technologies to produce convincing fake voices, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. As per a McAfee report, more than 83% of Indians have been duped by AI-generated fake voice calls, with numerous individuals struggling to differentiate between authentic and counterfeit calls.
Some common cybercrimes that will increase as we near the elections include:
Phishing: Deceptive emails or messages from fake sources aiming to steal information.
Disinformation Campaigns: Spreading false information to manipulate public opinion.
Hacking Election Infrastructure: Targeting voter databases or systems to disrupt voting.
DDoS Attacks: Overwhelming election websites to disrupt voter communication.
Voter Suppression: Spreading misinformation or attacking voter registration systems.
Deepfake Videos: Fabricated videos to discredit candidates or incite violence.
Ransomware Attacks: Encrypting files or systems to extort money from election organizations.
These cybercrimes pose significant threats to the integrity, security, and legitimacy of democratic elections, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation to combat election-related cyber threats effectively.
But amidst this mega spectacle, the hackers smirk. They don’t need a code of conduct. They are the uninvited guests at the masquerade ball.
They slip into our digital lives, masked as friendly callers or though emails and trending hashtags with a mission to exploit our vulnerabilities, steal our data, and dance away with our trust.
So don’t get played. Stay vigilant, recognize and report the tricks of cyber tricksters at all times.
